Even as a young child Natalia Guzman always knew that she wanted to help others. At the age of 3, she saw her mom, Teresa, successfully battle leukemia. Afterwards, Natalia became aware of several close family members in El Salvador who had passed away due to diabetes. These events provided inspiration for Natalia to want to study Medicine and become a Pediatrician as well as a Physician Nutrition Specialist.

The Tri-County Scholarship Fund played an important role in her life, providing partial scholarships that enabled her to attend Mary Help of Christian’s Academy for several years.

“I want to help prevent illnesses before people get sick,” says Natalia. Her participation as a high school student intern at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Paterson provided an inspirational and educational experience. Currently a Rutgers Nutritional Sciences major, Natalia is on track to graduate in 2020 and plans to go on to medical school.

According to Dr. Thomas Haring, Mary Help Director of Student Services, “Natalia ranked in the top 5 graduates of the 2016 senior class, maintaining a 97.78% grade average during her high school years, all while challenging herself with a varied course load.

Taking nothing for granted, Natalia says, “I took it seriously right from my freshman year. I knew I had to work hard. That opened doors to a lot of opportunities.” Natalia also volunteered as a senior citizen aide and served as an Ambassador, promoting her school to prospective students. She did all of this while managing school volleyball and softball teams and dance cheering for Don Bosco’s baseball team.

Natalia was inspired by the values and work ethic demonstrated by her parents. Her mother is a teacher’s assistant in a day care, and her father, a night-shift textile worker. They work extremely hard and are grateful and ecstatic about all 3 of their children’s successes. “They remind us how hard they worked so we can be successful and not have to struggle as much as they did,” says Natalia. The constant support she receives serves to “motivate and inspire me to keep going.” Dr. Haring attests to Natalia’s “modest and natural personality,” causing her to be “highly respected by faculty and her peers.”

Natalia said her relationships with Tri-County donors greatly inspired her to do well. “They were so nice and willing to get to know me on a personal level. Hearing the speakers and students talk at Tri-County events made me glad to have the opportunity from Tri-County to attend a private school. I hope that one day I can give back as they did,” says Natalia.

]]>AlumUpdate January 2018 – DeAndre Tomlinson & Notre Dame Universityhttp://www.tcsfund.org/2018/01/31/alumupdate-deandre-tomlinson/
Wed, 31 Jan 2018 17:11:29 +0000http://www.tcsfund.org/?p=4094 […]]]>Speaking with DeAndre Tomlinson revealed a young man who is extremely intelligent and well-spoken yet humble. A Sophmore at Notre Dame, on track to graduate in 2020, DeAndre recently declared his major, Scientific Computing, described as “an indispensable part of almost all scientific investigation and technological development.” His course of study will be combined with the rigors of a pre-med track. And if that’s not enough of a challenge, DeAndre double majors in Spanish.

Desiring to learn about Global Health in a Spanish-speaking environment, DeAndre applied for and received a generous grant from the Kellogg Institute. This past summer, he worked in a state-run hospital in Quito, Ecuador where he researched the differences between the Ecuadorian and American health systems.

From an early age, DeAndre was highly motivated to succeed. He maintained a 4.0 GPA all through his years at Paramus Catholic and participated in Model Congress as well as attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. He credits his mom, Carolene with motivating him, giving him a “good sense of morals and keeping me focused,” he says. Coming from a hard-working family of Jamaican immigrants living in Paterson, DeAndre says, “Being lazy is not an option…I saw people doing these great things and I wanted to emulate that.”

DeAndre struggled to find balance and success during his first semester at University of Notre Dame. Having decided to take 21 credits as well as participate in marching band, he found the intensity of course work and activities difficult to manage. “First semester was a real transition. Something had to give and sometimes it was a homework assignment,” admits DeAndre. He knew he needed assistance.

Dr. Thomas Anderson, Chairman of Romance Languages at Notre Dame became DeAndre’s trusted mentor. DeAndre wanted advice and listened well. Anderson advised him on how “to juggle requirements and time commitments,” how to feel less overwhelmed and even counseled him on some basics many Freshman can overlook, like advice “to sleep enough, eat well, and get exercise, and I think he took it to heart,” says Anderson. Calling his attitude, “refreshing,” Anderson says of DeAndre, “He’s made it very far already and he’s going to succeed in many ways.”

DeAndre certainly values Dr. Anderson’s guidance. “I learned so much from him and now I know what know the limits of what I can and cannot do in one day,” says DeAndre. In addition, he credits his achievements to Tri-County’s support. “Tri-County came into my life and I connected with people who knew the way to success…Tri-County has played a significant role in my life. It’s what led me to Notre Dame,” says DeAndre. And for that, he is very grateful.

]]>Tri-County Scholarship Fund Appoints New Presidenthttp://www.tcsfund.org/2017/10/04/pigott-president/
Wed, 04 Oct 2017 15:20:33 +0000http://www.tcsfund.org/?p=4022 […]]]>Parsippany, NJ – October 1, 2017 – The Board of the Trustees of the Tri-County Scholarship Fund has appointed Prudence Pigott to the position of President. Pigott previously served as a trustee for Tri-County, since 2015.

“Prudence has brought a lot of energy and new ideas to our organization as a trustee. We know she will bring that same level of commitment and passion to the job of President,” said Tim Duffy, Chair of Tri-County Scholarship Fund, and Founding Partner of the law firm of Coughlin Duffy in Morristown. “Our board is enthusiastic about what Tri-County will be able to accomplish with Prudence’s leadership, as we work toward helping even more financially disadvantaged students.”

“I am honored to be working with an outstanding board of trustees and generous supporters,” said Pigott. “We all care about making a difference in the lives of the neediest young people in New Jersey, many of them living in the inner-city. We do this by giving these students the opportunity to attend quality, values-based schools. I embrace the goal to increase the number of scholarships we can award each year; to help more students off our waiting list and into quality schools.”

Pigott has 20 years of experience in philanthropic fundraising, with a particular emphasis in causes benefiting children, Catholic education, and healthcare. Her most recent efforts have been in support of St. Mary’s Abbey in Morristown, and for Morristown Medical Center for which she co-chaired the 2014 Mansion In May at Blairsden, raising $2 million for a new pediatric intensive care unit and new Autism Center. Pigott’s volunteer experience includes fundraising for Oak Knoll School in Summit, Delbarton School in Morristown, and for Princeton University.

Pigott is a graduate of Stanford University, and holds an MBA from the University of California Los Angeles. Pigott completed a certificate in college guidance counseling from UCLA and practiced as an independent college guidance counselor, working with high school students. She began her professional career in advertising, and later worked on Wall Street. A resident of Far Hills, New Jersey, she and her husband, Terry, have four grown children.

The mission of Tri-County Scholarship Fund is to award needs-based scholarships to K-12th grade students from low-income families residing in Northern New Jersey, enabling them to attend high-quality, values-based private schools of their choice. This past year almost 400 deserving, hard-working students received scholarships. Tri-County was founded in 1981. Currently 100% of Tri-County seniors graduate, and 98% of graduates go on to college. Many are first in their families to attend college.

]]>Tri-County Scholarship Fund to Host 36th Annual Gala Awards Dinner on November 6http://www.tcsfund.org/2017/10/03/press-release-awards-dinner1/
Tue, 03 Oct 2017 15:03:02 +0000http://www.tcsfund.org/?p=4019 […]]]>Parsippany, NJ – September 28, 2017 – Tri-County Scholarship Fund will celebrate 36 years of helping financially needy students in Morris, Passaic and Sussex counties at its annual Gala Awards Dinner on November 6, 2017 at the Hanover Marriott in Whippany. This year’s gala will honor Paul J. Krump, Executive Vice President of Chubb Group and President, North America Commercial and Personal Insurance, and Dr. Bonita Stanton, Founding Dean of Seton Hall / Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine. The annual Making A Difference Award will be presented to Justin Marcucci, Chief Digital officer of Endava, the international digital marketing firm with local headquarters in Mendham, New Jersey.

The mission of Tri-County Scholarship Fund is to provide financial support for deserving students to obtain a quality, values-based education to accredited private elementary and secondary schools. Each year Tri-County awards Kindergarten – 12th grade scholarships to 400 students at over 50 different schools. Over the past 35+ years, $26 million have been raised by the organization and more than 31,000 scholarships awarded to needy children. Scholarship recipients have gone on to the top colleges in New Jersey and throughout the country with Tri-County graduates currently attending Georgetown, Rutgers, Notre Dame, Seton Hall University, Colgate, UCLA, Cornell, and Penn State, to name just a few.

“Tri-County is currently able to fund scholarships for 400 students each year, but we have another 2,000 students on the waiting list,” said Tim Duffy, Tri-County Chairman and Managing Partner of Coughlin Duffy in Morristown. “I call this ‘the cause of all causes’ because I can think of nothing more meaningful than helping needy children to get an education and a better life. By helping one child at a time, the ripple effect is enormous – touching the family, the community, and improving the lives of generations to come.”

Those interested in supporting Tri-County’s mission are invited to attend the November 6 Gala Awards Dinner, proceeds from which go directly to funding future scholarships. Ads for the dinner tribute journal are being accepted through October 16. Gala event and ad journal information, as well as tickets available for purchase, can be found at www.tcsfund.org or by calling the Tri-County offices at: 973-984-9600.

(Photo Caption L-R): Paul Krump, President of North America Commercial & Personal Insurance for Chubb and a 2017 Tri-County Scholarship Fund 2017 Awards Dinner Honoree, speaks with Janiela Campusano, a former Tri-County scholarship recipient and current Chubb employee, and her sister Janiele Campusano, a current Tri-County scholar now attending St. Anthony School in Hawthorne, NJ

]]>Save the Date!http://www.tcsfund.org/2017/08/10/save-the-date/
Thu, 10 Aug 2017 15:09:09 +0000http://www.tcsfund.org/?p=3970
]]>AlumUpdate July 2017- Ashley Torres & Montclair State Universityhttp://www.tcsfund.org/2017/07/20/alumupdate-ashley-torres/
Thu, 20 Jul 2017 12:02:44 +0000http://www.tcsfund.org/?p=3972 […]]]>Ashley had always planned on becoming a doctor. But in her senior year at Mary Help of Christians Academy, Dr. Tom Haring, Director of Student Services, counseled Ashley to try an accounting course. Initially resistant, Ashley quickly realized this course of study was a natural fit. After earning the highest grade in the course, asking her mom’s advice, and praying about it, Ashley decided to dedicate herself to becoming an accountant.

Currently on track to graduate from Montclair State University in Spring 2019 with a B.S. in Accounting, Ashley won’t stop there. Her goals include earning a Master’s degree in Forensic Accounting, working for one of the “Big 4” accounting firms, and then on to the FBI. “I find investigation interesting – finding fraud,” she shared. Ashley recently began working as Audit Intern at KPMG.

Growing up in Paterson and later moving to Haledon, Ashley shared that her mom, Silvana often worked two or three jobs to support her and her brother, Fabrizio. “That motivated me to try harder in school and help her out,” said Ashley. “She inspired me to succeed… and along with my school, gave me the values to become the person I am today.”

A dedicated student and enthusiastic volunteer, Ashley’s drive and values are resulting in success both academically and outside the classroom. Graduating in the top 5 of her class at Mary Help, she is currently part of the Alpha Lambda Delta Society, an honor society at MSU, and has a 3.5 GPA. She is a member of the Accounting Society and is treasurer of CHOLO, a Peruvian non-profit that plans to raise money to create scholarships for high school students and to benefit the homeless.

Ashley is very grateful for her education and to the teachers and mentors who have helped her along the way. “Without Dr. Haring, I wouldn’t have been able to understand all about the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)…he helped me apply and now I’m helping Fabrizio to apply for it too.”

Ashley also has a message for Tri-County donors. “I want to thank them for all the support that they have given me and others. If it weren’t for them I wouldn’t be where I am right now. Because of them I’ll reach my goals.” Dr. Haring agrees, saying, “Ashley is quite the talented and motivated student who will certainly continue to excel.”